STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONAL EXPRESSION OF THE CLONED MOUSE NEURONAL HIGH-AFFINITY GLUTAMATE TRANSPORTER

A cDNA encoding a neuron-specific glutamate transporter was isolated f rom mouse cerebellum and characterized, Expression of this cDNA in HEK 293 cells induced high-affinity uptake of L-glutamate that was depende nt on external Na+, The deduced amino-acid sequence of the cDNA shares 96% identity with its human homologue. Northern blot analysis of mous e tissues revealed that the mRNA of this transporter is specific to th e brain, In situ hybridization in mouse brain sections showed that the mRNA is expressed densely and selectively in cell. bodies of Purkinje cells. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.